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Success for Russell-Cooke in High Profile Rape Case

Date posted:
Sunday, 1st March 2009

Solicitor Nicola O'Connor, of Russell-Cooke's Criminal Litigation team, represented Peter Bacon who was acquitted of rape in a recent high profile case.

The trial received widespread media attention because of the nature of the accusation. Mr Bacon and the woman had been drinking but he gave evidence that sexual intercourse was consensual. However, the woman, who had no recollection of having sex, claimed she was incapable of giving consent. Mr Bacon immediately contacted the police to say he had been accused of rape. He was arrested and later charged.

Following the verdict at Winchester Crown Court, Nicola gave the following statement on behalf of her client:

"It has been enormously upsetting and stressful to have an allegation of this nature made against him. As soon as he was aware that the complainant was alleging rape, he voluntarily contacted the police and told them what happened. He told police as much as he could. He has maintained his innocence throughout. Peter is enormously grateful to the jury for carefully considering the evidence in this case and returning a verdict of not guilty. This case seriously calls into question the lack of anonymity for people like Peter who have been wrongfully accused of rape and who ultimately are acquitted."

Nicola has been interviewed by a number of radio stations about the case.